The month of February was chosen to mark the observance of Black History Month because of Abraham Lincoln (Feb 12) and Frederick Douglass’s (Feb 14) birthdays. Not just recognized in the United States, it is also celebrated in Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, and the Netherlands.

Officially recognized by President Gerald Ford in 1967, the holiday originated in 1925. Its creator, Carter G. Woodson was a public historian and professor of African-American History in addition to being the leader of the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH). Their aim was to increase public knowledge of historical figures of notable achievement. The holiday’s first iteration was as Negro History (and Literature) week, mostly observed in school settings. 

Black intellectual movements contributed significantly to its continued popularity and the expansion of the holiday to a month-long observance. In addition, as public schools desegregated, their history curriculums needed to be more multi-racial. The presence of Black students on college campuses gave rise to multi-cultural organizations, who marked the observance as well. In 1986, Public Law 99-244 was passed by Congress- officially giving Black History Month federal recognition.  

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Tips for Browsing the Stacks

The structure for classifying resources related to African-Americans has undergone many changes recently to reflect appropriate terminology. Rather than searching for “African-Americans” or “Black people” as a primary term, using it as a secondary search term tied to another subject will usually yield better results. Under the Library of Congress System, call number range E184.5-185.98 specifies African-Americans. Race relations are included in HT1501-1595. If you’re doing research on African languages and literature, explore PL8000-8844. For Black literature specifically, look under PN841.

Selections from the Children’s Section

Selections from the Social Justice Collection

In Need of Some Primary Sources?

• For a wide range of research needs, browse the Black History page from the Archives Library Information Center (ALIC) by the National Archives
• Listen to presidential speeches commemorating Black History from American Reference Library – Primary Source Documents
• Explore the Library of Congress’s African American History: Teacher Resources and Primary Sources page 
• Browse a primary source packet from the Brooklyn Public Library
• Enjoy these archival photographs of Frederick Douglass from the National Park Service

Current Resources for Observing Black History Month

At Eastern

The Frank B. Mitchell, Jr. 41st Lectureship: “When Normal No Longer Exists: Constructing New Paradigms for Pulpit and Pew“.

Local organizations and events

• Explore this calendar of events from the Free Library of Philadelphia
• Explore this calendar of events from the Free Library of Philadelphia
• Watch special programming on PCN
• Visit the temporary installation of Harriet Tubman – The Journey to Freedom sculpture in Philadelphia
• This is a great time to support your local Black-owned bookstore

On the Web

• Stream some events sponsored by the Smithsonian Museum
• The Wright History Museum will be having a 4-part series on their exhibition “And Still We Rise”
• This year’s Black History Month theme is Health and Wellness. Learn about African-American pioneers in the field.